YOUTH HUNTERS will have an opportunity to hunt waterfowl with the best hunters in the state in September if they draw for the 2014 guided waterfowl hunt.
Photo by Stacey Jones | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

WOODS CROSS – Youth hunters will rejoice at the opportunity to get a guided waterfowl hunt when the season starts in the Fall.

Youth hunters with little or no experience hunting waterfowl will be offered a free guided hunt this season thanks to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Conservative Offiers Association and the Utah Waterfowl Association.

One of the guided hunts will be held in Davis County.

Youth hunters who want to participate in the waterfowl hunt must be between the ages of 12 and 17 on or before Saturday, Sept. 20, the opening day of the hunt.

Hunters must also complete their applications by Friday, July 25 and graduate from Utah’s Hunter Education program.

The Hunter Education course must be completed before going on the guided hunt in September.

“Each young person will be guided by an experienced waterfowl hunter,” said DWR officer Wyatt Bubak in a press release sent to the Clipper. “We won’t be taking these kids out to pass shoot ducks off the dike. These will be high-quality hunts.”

Those who draw for the hunt will be notified by e-mail. Bubak said the September hunt is perfect for a number of reasons, including introducing young hunters to waterfowl hunting.

“In mid-September the weather is usually perfect,” he said. “The number of duck and geese in Utah is the highest it will be all year.”

Utah DWR is highly encouraging hunters to attend a free shotgun training course at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City - though it isn’t required to be a part of the waterfowl hunt.

The next available course will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9-11 a.m. Participants must bring the shotgun they will be using for the waterfowl hunt and their own lead-shot shells.

DWR will provide equipment for those who don’t have enough of their own during the seminar.

That won’t be the case during the hunt, when hunters must provide all of their own gear including guns, ammo, waders, a permit and some basic hunting gear.

Other items will be provided to hunters for free.

Youth hunters must also sign a liability waiver and have a parent or guardian with them.

A free lunch will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area as well.